7 Best Steam Iron Consumer Reports 2019 – Top Rated

There probably are hundreds of different brands of steam irons for many purposes such as laundry, travel, garment steaming, quilting, cordless, commercial, professional in the market today. All of them have different features and are priced from under $20-50 to even over the $200 mark. It can be confusing to choose good quality clothing iron and which comes at a reasonable price. Different steam generator iron brands and different models deliver different results. As a buyer, you must also know that price does not necessarily reflect the quality or the performance of a steam iron. The best clothing irons, however, stand out from their counterparts and can be identified with a little scrutiny.

Factors and Features to Consider When Buying Clothing Iron

Power Wattage: The higher the power wattage, the quicker the iron heats up and the easier it is to remove creases.

The Sole Plate: The plate should be made of a durable material and one that does not stick to clothes. Common materials include stainless steel, anodized aluminum, and ceramic.

The Purpose of The Iron: Different irons achieve different results and are built for different purposes. There are some steam irons that are built specifically for professional use and might not be suitable for home use because they may lack some certain features.

Steam Out Put: Some irons have a higher output of steam than others. If you regularly work with difficult fabrics, an iron with high steam generation is more appropriate.

Weight: Some clothing irons are considerably heavier than others. While a heavier iron has its advantages, it certainly has its drawbacks.

Self Cleaning: Some irons come with a self-clean function that allows them to flush out dirt and other deposits that might have accumulated inside. This makes them require less maintenance.

Anti Calcium System: This feature allows steam irons to operate without accumulating calcium and other mineral deposits which result from the use of hard water. This, therefore, allows the user to use tap water.

Automatic Off: This feature allows the iron to cut out power automatically after a period of inactivity reducing the chances of fires.

Length and Type of Cord: Some models come with short cords while others are longer. Some cords are also easily entangled while others are retractable allowing ease of use and storage. Some more modern models have incorporated wireless cord technology.

Size of The Water Tank: Clothing irons require to be filled with water so as to produce steam. The bigger the tank, the less the frequency of refills.

Tips On Choosing The Best Steam Iron

Choose an iron with good quality material: Ceramic is the best material for the sole as it is durable and glossy and therefore glides easily. Stainless steel is also equally suitable as it does not scratch and is long lasting.

Choose a high watt power over low watt iron: A higher watt steam iron heats faster and is likely to produce more steam over a low watt iron.

Choose an iron that has Vertical steam and variable steam features: Vertical steam option allows you to straighten clothes even when they are still hanging on the hanging lines. The variable steam gives control over how much steam the iron produces.

Choose an iron that has a higher number of holes for steam output: The higher the number of holes, the more the steam that can be released. Micro-holes are also more preferable than macro holes as they are more effective.

Choose an iron that has self-clean features and anti-calc system: Self-clean allows the iron to rid itself of dirt and impurities. The anti-calc feature increases the lifespan of the clothing iron and makes it possible to use tap water for the tank.

Check the size of the tank: A larger tank is not depleted as quickly as a smaller tank. There are irons that offer tanks as big as 12 ounces

Choose the type of the cord: A retractable cord is definitely more desirable than one that does not.

Price: Some models have high-end features which makes them expensive however there are some cheaper brands that offer advanced features.

Importance of Ergonomic handle and controls: The handle should be smooth and comfortable to hold. Some models have anti-slip handles and are generally more comfortable to use than others.

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